POPLARVILLE - Pearl River Community College has again been recognized as one of the country’s best. The Create a Career website ranks PRCC as 23rd on its list of the 25 Best Community Colleges in the United States. PRCC is the only Mississippi community college on the list. “I am truly excited about the recognition that our college has received from the Create A Career organization,” said Dr. William Lewis, PRCC president. “To be recognized as one of America’s 25 best community colleges by this organization is truly an honor for us.The recognition exemplifies the great efforts our employees make to ensure Pearl River students receive a quality higher education. We are proud of the achievements of our students that helped make this recognition possible.” Selection was based on evaluation of several studies and ratings of community colleges throughout the nation, according to the website. Factors included student retention rates, percentage of students who graduate or transfer to another school within three years, student-to-faculty ratios, student support, the types of programs provided and the school’s reputation. The website cites PRCC’s recognition as 20th in the 2012 CNN Money list of top community colleges, its ranking in 2013 by the Aspen Institute in the top 10 percent of U.S. community colleges and its membership in the National Collegiate Honors Council. PRCC also was ranked in the top 10 percent by the Aspen Institute in 2012, was listed 28th by TheBestSchools.org in 2013 and is on the 2014 Military Friendly Schools list.Such recognition increases PRCC’s visibility to high school students using the Internet to research college opportunities. “It is exciting to see PRCC receive this honor from Create a Career,” said Casey Rawls, PRCC director of recruitment and orientation. “Recognition such as this impacts our recruiting efforts by calling attention to the excellent opportunities available to students who enroll at PRCC. PRCC has so much to offer, including quality academics, cutting-edge programs, affordable tuition and exciting student life. Our graduates continually excel in their chosen careers and in furthering their education. “This recognition is one of the many honors that proves PRCC provides students with a solid foundation on which they can build their lives.” The website can be found at http://createacareer.org/best-community-colleges-united-states/

POPLARVILLE - The South Mississippi Ballet Theatre will present The Nutcracker this weekend at the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts at Pearl River Community College. The traditional holiday ballet will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children. For tickets, telephone 601-307-3602 or go to www.southmsballet.org

POPLARVILLE - Students and employees at Pearl River Community College collected almost 300 toys to brighten Christmas for area children.The toys were donated to the No Shave November organiztion which helps families in need.Student Virginia Mitchell of Purvis, a Student Success Center tutor, organized the toy drive on campus.

Pearl River Community College student Virgina Mitchell of Purvis, from left, PRCC Alumni Coordinator Candace Harper and No Shave November members Daniel Wise and Norman Tyner, both of Poplarville, display toys collected at the college for Christmas distribution.

POPLARVILLE - The charter members of Alpha Delta Nu nursing honor society at Pearl River Community College were inducted Tuesday, Dec. 10, in a ceremony at Malone Chapel. PRCC established the Beta Mu chapter this fall for students excelling in the associate degree nursing program. “Those inducted into Alpha Delta Nu have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, service, leadership and character,” said Dr. Arlene Jones, PRCC director of nursing education. The national society was formed in 2011 by the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing and has grown to 65 chapters in 24 states. The charter members are Scarlet Nightengale, Tessa Turner and Zachary Gillespie, all of Poplarville; Crystal Shows of Soso, Amanda Kerry of Carriere, Justin Garber of Sumrall, Anna Hinton of Hattiesburg, Nacole Reid of Lumberton, Brittany Lee of Columbia, Don Ladner Jr. of Petal and Michael Stockstill of Picayune.

POPLARVILLE - Pearl River Community College will hold open registration for the 2014 spring semester on three dates. Registration at the Hancock Center in Waveland will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3. At the Forrest County Center in Hattiesburg, registration will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6. Registration at the Poplarville campus will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. Day and night classes begin on Wednesday, Jan. 8 For more information and the class schedule, go to PRCC’s website at www.prcc.edu.

Graduates of the dual enrollment practical nursing program at Pearl River Community College’s Forrest County Center received their diplomas and pins during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13, at PRCC’s Woodall Advanced Technology Center. They are pictured with instructors Matt Gatlin, from left, Tonya Harbison and Melissa Bryant, graduates Keiara Williams of Hattiesburg, Lauren Pearce and Tyron Graves, both of Petal, and instructor Susan Bedwell. The students enrolled in the program part-time while in high school, received their high school diplomas in May and became full-time PRCC students to finish the nursing program. PRCC Public Relations photo.

Graduates of the surgical technology program at Pearl River Community College’s Forrest County Center received their diplomas and pins during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13, at PRCC’s Woodall Advanced Technology Center. They are, front row from left, Stephen Smith of Foxworth (Academic Award), Hannah Broome of Sumrall, Heather Williams of Jackson, Hannah Lauga of Picayune (Outstanding Clinical Student), Brittany Jones of Carriere and Andreia Echols of Columbia; back row, program director Tammy Allhoff, Lauren Bodie and Angela Stampley, both of Columbia, Kayla Ratcliff of Stringer, Brittany Baughman of Tylertown, Devin Little of Petal, Matt Layman of Picayune and instructor Brittney Hawkins. Smith was also the recipient of the Debbie Hinton Memorial Scholarship. PRCC Public Relations photo.

Dr. Ted J. Alexander attended the Scholarship Donor Dinner at Pearl River Community College with, from left, Jacob Billingsley of Hattiesburg, Shannon Buehler of Bay St. Louis, Hannah Falls of Picayune, Joelle Ladner of Lumberton and Jessica Smith of Picayune, the recipients of the Ted J. Alexander Leadership Scholarships.

Galen Doucet of Gulfport, from left, Kristine Montgomery of Petal and Ashley Craft of Picayune received the Asbury Foundation Scholarships at Pearl River Community College.